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Stars-Senators Preview

Friday, 03.21.2014 / 9:51 PM
Mark Stepneski

Ottawa Senators at Dallas Stars

Saturday March 22

2:00 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Southwest

Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

About the Stars

The Stars (32-26-11) saw their winless streak hit four games (0-3-1) with a 4-2 loss at Philadelphia Thursday. The Stars went 0-3-0 on their three-game road trip, were outscored 16-5 but saw improvement in the game against the Flyers.

“The team played hard,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “We missed some point blank opportunities and there are probably a couple our goaltender would like back, but if we play like that night after night, we’ll win.”

The Stars are four points behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 13 games left on their schedule, and they have one game in hand on the Coyotes.

Saturday’s game opens a two-game homestand for the Stars, who play three of their next four games at American Airlines Center.

Forward Shawn Horcoff, who missed the last four games with a broken finger, is expected to return Saturday.

The Senators (28-28-13) lost 5-4 to Tampa Bay Thursday, extending their winless streak to five games (0-3-2), including three straight losses in regulation. The Senators have given up 25 goals in the five losses.

“We fought right until the end but once again we found a way to lose,” said Senators captain Jason Spezza. “We're still giving up too many quality looks in front of our net and we definitely have to cut down on the number of goals we're giving up.”

The Senators are 2-7-2 over their last 11 games, a stretch that has basically dashed their playoff hopes. They are nine points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 13 games left on their schedule.

Saturdays’ game opens a three-game road trip for the Senators.

G Craig Anderson, who has been out with a shoulder injury, will travel to Dallas but is not expected to play. Robin Lehner is expected to start in goal for Ottawa Saturday.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Mobile name and logo, NHL GameCenter and Unlimited NHL are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.